The Dutch consultation economy in perspective

10-2013 | Communications | SER: an introduction

Holland: man-made land

Social dialogue finds its roots in a long tradition of consultation and cooperationStep by step in 100 years much changeNetherlands now: top 5 best performing countries

10-2013 | Communications | SER: an introduction

Dutch consultation economy at three levels:

Company level: works councils- Consultation: on important issues for the direction and

future of the organisation - Approval: on labour-related issues: working hours,

health and safety, etc

Sector/company level: 500 collective labour agreements- Cover 80% of employees- Negotiation of wages and other benefits etc

National level: - Labour Foundation - Social and Economic Council

10-2013 | Communications | SER: an introduction

Social and Economic Council

Quick overview Established 1950 by law Advisory body to government and parliament Three groups, 33 members:

- employers (11)- employees /unions (11)- independent experts (11)

Secretariat of ca. 100 people; policy advisors and facility staff Financed via Chambers of Commerce

10-2013 | Communications | SER: an introduction

What does the SER do?

Platform function, agendasetting: Organise debate, involve social partners & wider groups in relevant policy issues, sharing of insights

Advisory task: Advising government and parliament on the outlines of social and economic policy

Self regulation: coordination and implementation of common issues (e.g. consumersrights; code of conduct in mergers; international corporate social responsibility CSR)

Execution of specific laws: mainly where it directly relates to the social partners (e.g. work councils)

10-2013 | Communications | SER: an introduction

Shared view on goals

Mission statementSER aims to help create social consensus on national and international socio-economic issues: creating common ground

Guiding principle: Broad concept of prosperity Material progress (i.e., increased affluence and production)Social progress (i.e., improved welfare and social cohesion)High-quality environment in which to live (i.e.,

environmental and spatial factors)

Three main objectives, explicitly formulatedEconomic growth and sustainable development The highest possible level of employment and participationA fair distribution of income

10-2013 | Communications | SER: an introduction

Broad agenda

Some issues addressed in advisory projects:Macro-economic state of the NetherlandsInnovation and productivity issuesSocial security arrangementsFunctioning of the labour marketLabour conditions, health & safety issuesEducation, links to labour marketEmployee participation Health care systemEuropean policies Sustainable development/energy policies

….. Always from a socio-economic angle!

10-2013 | Communications | SER: an introduction

How does the SER work? Advice: on request or at its own initiative

Preparation in committees (standing or ad hoc)

Common analysis of problems/issues, important groundwork

Involvement of ‘outsiders’, outreach to larger society

Consultation with rank-and-file

Public meetings of the council

Strive for unanimity, but advisory reports may be divided

Duration between 6 months – 1 year, speeding up

10-2013 | Communications | SER: an introduction

Impact, relation to government/politics Politics in the Netherlands: coalitions always needed

Many parties, volatile in election outcomes

SER can foster stability by ‘creating common ground’Best done by giving unanimous advice: have to deliver!Then highly influential, no formal powerAdvice is often followed up and implemented

Close relations with government/civil servants‘Organic’ process, not dropping advice when finished

Pitfalls/criticism: undemocratic? Partial interests? Representative enough?

10-2013 | Communications | SER: an introduction

What are the conditions for success?

Social partners wanting to work together &Political will and social acceptance to listen and seek advice

More process than structure! respect for each others’ position long-term orientation (not just one-off deals) create an environment of mutual trust Invest in (personal) relations stick to agreements, commitment to

longer-term agreements with other parties Hard work, not easy! Only as good as the last advice

10-2013 | Communications | SER: an introduction